Hargreaves Proud Despite Relegation Confirmation

Manager Chris Hargreaves has said he was extremely proud of the players for their efforts in the three one victory over Mansfield Town yesterday, but unfortunately our late efforts didn't count for much given Northampton and Bristol Rovers both won on the day consigning us to the expected which was relegation.

Speaking to the Official Site following the game, Hargreaves had to obviously rue other opportunities we have had since he came in as manager to get those extra few points that would've done us the world of good, but unfortunately it wasn't to be, but he couldn't fault their attitude in trying to give us one last hope of avoiding the drop.

'I'm proud of their efforts. It was a game we could have won 10-1 and a game I feel I'm happy about as a manager. We were a passing and a fluid team, but perhaps our young team has clicked too late? I thank them for their efforts and I've told them to keep the fight in their bodies. Those who want to fight will stay with me next season and fight to get this club back up.'

The gaffer goes on to say that the spirit in most cases has never been in doubt for him, but unfortunately it was too little too late really owing to our form for the majority of the season, but at least going out on somewhat of a high irrespective of what happens now in the next game does give some hope for next season.

'I thank the supporters for their tremendous efforts. They were magnificent and I can promise them that I'll be working very hard to get this club back up. Added to that we want footballers who want to play. I was the captain when the club came out of the Conference and I want to be the manager lead us back out of the Conference.'

Obviously Hargreaves wouldn't have wanted it to happen this way, and he admits that, and he was confident that he'd be able to turn things around quickly enough for us to have been able to scrape our way out of the bottom spots, but once survival wasn't really in our hands with how some results went it's always a tough ask to continually get favours from other teams.

'This is a massive blow to everybody, no doubt about it, and we can't hide from it. The players are devastated but I've seen enough in the last few weeks to show how good some of them are, and that gives me great spirit.'

It could be set to be an interesting summer now with some players out of contract and obviously set to move on, along with those who won't want to make the drop, so it'll be interesting who stays with us and tries to help make up for this season by giving us a shot at promotion at the first time of asking again.

He does say he's not expecting wholescale changes though over the summer, as a number of players remain under contract but the bottom line is 'those who don't want to play for the club, don't have to. I wish them the best for the future, I can just deal with people that want to stay and play for me.'

If we can keep this little run of form going and beat Wycombe in the next match now it would at least give some pride back and give the fans something more to cheer about given how little there has been on that score this season, and then it's all eyes to next year and a promotion campaign.